ACTION PUNJAB NEWS Desk: IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has invited Google representatives to a meeting on Monday to discuss the tech giant’s dispute with some Indian companies over billing policies.
Google removed apps from ten Indian companies on Friday, citing service fee disputes. Matrimony services such as Bharat Matrimony and job search app Naukri were among the apps affected, adding to Indian startups’ long-standing complaints about Google’s practices, including in-app fee charges.
Vaishnaw expressed optimism for a quick resolution, saying, “I am hopeful that Google will be reasonable in its approach. We have a large and expanding startup ecosystem, and it is critical to protect their interests.”
“I’ve sought a meeting with Google already. The IT Minister continued, We will take all necessary measures to protect our startup ecosystem, and I have faith that Google, which has adapted well to digital payments, will handle this matter sensibly.”
The Dispute
The dispute revolves around efforts by some Indian firms to prevent Google from imposing an 11% to 26% tax on in-app payments, following an order from the country’s antitrust authorities to dismantle a former system charging 15% to 30%.
However, Google effectively got approval to collect the fee or remove apps following two rulings from courts in January and February, one by the Supreme Court, which refused to provide any relief to startups.
Matrimony.com dating apps Bharat Matrimony, Christian Matrimony, Muslim Matrimony, and Jodii were removed on Friday, according to firm founder Murugavel Janakiraman, who described the decision as a “dark day of Indian Internet”.
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